SMEs and Startups Minister Park Young-sun expressed her intent to resign from her post on Wednesday. 

Park announced the move that morning in a message to reporters. She is likely to join the ruling Democratic Party's(DP) race to pick its candidate for the Seoul mayoral post in the April by-election. 

Park, who served as a lawmaker for four terms with the DP, is considered among the leading contenders for the post left vacated after the death of DP-affiliated Park Won-soon, along with minor opposition People's Party head Ahn Cheol-soo. Former main opposition People Power Party(PPP) Floor Leader Na Kyung-won and former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, also from the PPP, declared their bids as well. 

Park's move came as President Moon Jae-in reportedly plans to announce a Cabinet reshuffle, including the SMEs and Startups minister, as early as Wednesday. 

The possible shakeup is also expected to affect the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries as well as the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. 

Moon has carried out Cabinet reshuffles twice since late last year, naming men to fill all new posts save that for gender equality and family minister and environment minister.